Hsa_circ_0007905 as a modulator of miR-330-5p and VDAC1: Enhancing stemness and reducing apoptosis in cervical cancer stem cells.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed RNA structures that play a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of cervical cancer (CC). However, it is unclear how these RNAs influence cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties in CC. Here, we performed circRNA microarray analysis and identified an intergenic circRNA, hsa_circ_0007905, that was significantly upregulated in patients with CC. Moreover, hsa_circ_0007905 was found to be highly expressed in CSC-enriched subsets of cervical cancer cell lines. Functionally, knocking down hsa_circ_0007905 suppressed proliferative, migratory invasive and self-renewal abilities, as well as stimulated apoptosis of CSCs in CC. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0007905 functions as a "sponge" to inversely control miR-330-5p expression, which directly targets VDAC1. Overexpressing VDAC1 or inhibiting miR-330-5p blocked the roles of silencing hsa_circ_0007905 on CSCs. Thus, we revealed the mechanism by which hsa_circ_0007905 competitively adsorbs miR-330-5p to mediate VDAC1 expression to promote stemness and inhibit apoptosis of CSCs in CC, offering an therapeutic target for treating CC.